This episode is with one of the industry’s most colorful characters - 1991 World Champion, Chris 'the Flyin Fish' Fischetti

The Fish was one of the rock stars of the early 90s and was always easy to spot, even amongst the bright colors, due to his signature shark fin that he wore on his back.

Not only was the Fish a weapon in the water, but he was a great leader in the community out of it, starting the Fish Syndicate.

His dad, affectionately known as Pops, was his leading mechanic and between them they had some amazing machines, at times having an edge over their rivals at PJS.

Listen in for not only some amazing set up tips, but some crazy stories from the scene in the 90s with all your favorite legends

Show notes:

• You’re loved in the community, you started the Fish Syndicate, tell us about that
• Everyone who ran the show for the jet skis went straight to X Games
• You guys were rock stars back then, it was a beach party with a jet ski event
• Running into Troy Lee
• It must have been so much fun to be on a tour like this
• Fish’s Adventure - tell us about that
• Scott Watkins was the best rider who did Jet Dreams and then moved to Jet Pilot - he was the guy
• The jet ski tour really blew up after the big jetski videos
• Tell us about the Paris indoor race series in Bercey, that must have been great!
• What do you remember about the Australian Surf Series racing against Todd Ross and Scott Miller?
• How did you all go over to race in Japan?
• Jet skis were manufactured in Nebraska and distributed from there
• Where did your shark fin come from?
• Your business Hole Shot Engineering and the X2 650 Supercharger
• The supercharger giving you the edge against the PJS riders
• You had fierce rivalries but were great friends off the track, what trouble did you guys cause back in the day?
• Fort Worth, Texas race in 1990 and you have a throttle linkage issue and ended 15th
• You’re always doing R&D, everything you needed you had to bring with you
• You had good support from a bunch of sponsors: Hole Shot, Mariner, Sano Pads, Solas Impellers, Jet Pilot, Oakley, Arai Helmets, Graydon Proline and Gold’s Gym to name a few
• I started off racing for Fun Tech who made “The Wedge”
• What’s the story with Bum Bum?
• Tell us about the 1990 World Finals
• 1991 you became World Champion, but you got badly injured in a car accident!
• Two weeks after the crash was the first of the Hot Water Tour, I hit someone's ski and I fractured my arm
• Your dad was a monster engine builder involved with Indycar
• His race savvy was a huge advantage
• 1991 was the pinnacle for the 550 engines with an engine your dad made for you
• It forced us to run a stock flywheel
• Explain the water cooling system for the bearing
• Was that your favourite 550 engine?
• How did you modify the pump? We built the pump, bent and tuned the props, lightened drive line, worked on the steering and intake, dad build the cranks, pistons and the carbs
• My dad hand built all of this in our garage
• What was it like competing against a factory backed rider using your own parts?
• Secrecy in the pits
• Jeff Jacobs used lead on his ski to keep the nose down, did you do that too?
• Scoop grates and the ride plate length are important
• What did it feel like winning the World Championship in 1991?
• There was no social media, you had to attend events
• Handling: Fish Sticks - Rhaas Five5Zero Sponsons: tell us about them!
• This is the first mod that you should do to your ski
• Having the handle pull height right and having a short steering plate, to make the steering Wedge some foam under the handle pull to stop it dropping too low
• Engine setup: Have a good set of carbs that you can tune well
• Your best racing memory: Famous desert parties and the World Finals
• How many “real” world champions are there on pure jet ski hulls?
• The journey is more important than the race results

Today’s episode is with Rob Hallstrom, former editor of SPLASH magazine! He was definitely a lucky man in the right place at the right time to ride the wave of the golden era of the Jet Ski world. Get an insight into the inner workings of SPLASH Magazine, what it took to put together, some of the challenges they faced and some of the unreal perks he got as an editor covering a sport that he loved! We hope you enjoy this interview with a man at the forefront of the Jet Ski world!

Important times:

01:20 Hello and welcome Rob
01:40 How did you get involved in the world of Jet Skis?
04:15 What work did you do outside of Jet Skis? VW Trends Magazine
06:20 The perks of being editor means you always have a great ski
07:55 What does an editor actually do?
10:00 How did you start at Splash Magazine?
13:45 How did the interviews work back then? Technology has changed!
16:00 Splash Magazine’s had the best colour
17:20 What makes a good interview?
18:30 In Your Face
20:25 Bad interviews
21:45 Getting onto the cover of the magazine
25:40 Getting to test Jet Skis
26:35 New model releases
29:50 We always got to test the latest tech
32:45 Trips to Australia with Jet Pilot
36:20 Yamaha special testing with new Jet Skis getting to ride 120 miles
37:55 The right time at the right place
39:00 Big money changed the industry
42:15 Ed Miller’s PJS Ski the VHP
44:40 The Fish Report
47:55 Custom Corner
49:40 Custom of the Month
52:05 What was your favourite part of the magazine?
53:10 Splash Bash and the Mex Rager
57:00 Riding motorcycles on Route 66 with Spat
01:01:30 The infamous riot
01:03:30 The end of your Splash Magazine career and starting with European Car Magazine
01:06:25 The demise of the magazine as a concept
01:09:00 What are you doing these days? 714 Media
01:10:15 What does your Splash collection look like?
01:12:15 Thank you so much for your time!
01:12:40 Outro

Today’s episode is a special one, we are focusing on getting the most performance out of your jet ski using tricks and tips from one of the best in the business, 2020 Vintage Class World Champion Wyland Reden! We’ve saved some of his top engine
and handling tips for this episode to help you get ready for the World Finals! If you want to race with the best in the sport or just enjoy riding with your friends more, this episode is for you!

YOUR JET SKI

• 01:00 So tell us about your ski: dual 46 carbs, reverse jets that’s tuned well, west
  coast cylinder with hand done porting, Kaufmann full pipe, for a good top and bottom
  end. Full length, hand ported intake manifold.
• 03:15 What head do you use and under what compression? West Coast head at 195
  compression, 200 and over just damaged the engine.
• 04:40 We use a normal but lightweight crank.
• 04:50 We replace the PJS pistons every 6 months of racing.
• 05:30 Waterbox and exhaust.
• 06:24 Pump: I use a Rhaas 750 conversion kit bored to almost 800 with a big swirl
  prop, impellers at a high angle as well as an 800 pump nozzle that automatically
  drops as you turn.
• 07:17 We have settled on a flat ride plate extended 3 inches out and size 21 rings.
• 08:10 Top end vs low end performance.
• 08:44 Advice for people getting into the 550 class.
• 09:21 It has become necessary to have a 750 pump to be competitive.
• 10:36 What did you use before the 750 pump?
• 12:00 It’s very difficult to weld anything onto a ride plate.
• 13:08 We use 2 washers on the ride plate to angle it slightly down.
• 14:25 How do you fill the gaps between the ride plate and the hull?.
• 15:14 That’s a good way to stop the ski from bouncing around too much.

TOP SPEED

• 15:43 They used to use a radar gun on the back straight to measure top speed, how
  do you measure it today? We use the GPS data from a GoPro, a phone as well as
  using a radar gun.
• 17:09 Your highest ever speed on a 550: 56mph.
• 18:24 You have to choose between acceleration and top speed.
• 19:12 Picture of Jeff Jacobs going 57mph.
• 20:15 Top speed run:what intake grate do you use? Rhaas top loader.

FUEL

• 22:02 How much do you put in? ¾ tank.
• 23:43 Which fuel do you use? VP 110 Racing Fuel that is kept super cold.

PREP FOR RACE

• 24:30 What is your process of prep to get ready for the start line with your holder?
• 26:43 What do you do on the line to get your jet ski ready for the race?
• 30:48 How do you prepare yourself for the start of the race?
• 30:39 Reading the conditions and mentally preparing.
• 34:38 Troubles in the season: narrowly avoiding a fire.
• 36:26 I turn on the bilge pump at the last minute because it uses battery power.
• 38:13 Ignition system and flywheels, don’t play with reverse magnets.

GET READY TO RACE

• 39:48 Why do you rev before the race? To clear the water.
• 40:47 How to time the start.
• 42:26 I prefer the inside split, it’s tighter and shorter. My ski turns sharply or not at all.

PRIZE MONEY IN RACING

• 44:05 No money in the US but some good cash prizes overseas like in Thailand.
• 45:08 My team is a big part of my racing.
• 47:00 Did you see Harry Goatcher and Jeff Jacobs?

PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR

• 47:57 I won’t leave the 550’s but I’m moving to the Pro Class.
• 49:42 We are trying to start a stock spec class, no modifications and far cheaper.
• 53:31 There’s something special when you go back to how things used to be.

This week we chat with Rachel Cummings, one of the rising stars of the sport, on racing, wrenching and getting started in Vintage Jetskis.

Rachel has motorsport in her blood with years of experience riding enduro motorbikes with her dad, but it wasn’t until she was 20 years old that Rachel was introduced to the sport by her boyfriend, Andrew.

Between them they’ve racked up countless hours of wrenching and admit their passion for the sport has driven them to build race skis faster than they were designed to go.

Join us as we go into detail about those modifications, setup and engine tips that Rachel uses to get the best out of her ski.

Checkout all this and more on the Ride by Day, Wrench by Night podcast.

• 00:15 Introduction.
• 01:52 How did you get into jet skiing?
• 04:24 You have a boyfriend who loves jet skis too.
• 07:30 You started on an X2, when did you get a superjet?
• 09:50 Innovation is great, it leads to the whole industry going forward.
• 10:27 Finding your SuperJet just before spring break.
• 12:12 How we converted the ski for the surf.
• 14:02 Disappointed with the performance at first.
• 15:35 Chasing whaleboats at Pismo.
• 20:20 Your first real jet ski event at Huntington Beach.
• 22:34 Andrew’s family has a house at Lake Havasu.
• 24:09 I was racing just to finish.
• 25:20 How did your first race go?
• 26:58 Scrambling to get gear last minute.
• 27:39 I was the only girl who signed up.
• 29:04 We realized we were actually competitive.
• 29:41 We pitted next to Michael Prodanovich.
• 31:04 So you ride dirt bikes too? Tell us about that.
• 36:58 Risk vs reward became more important.
• 37:31 How did you go from your SuperJet to a vintage ski?
• 40:28 Andrew has been collecting parts for years.
• 43:20 Mark Gomez riding without a hood.
• 44:07 Your ski in particular is really nice, tell us about where that started.
• 46:21 How did you budget and plan for your ski?
• 47:49 Wrenching is the fun part, it gives you a greater connection to your gear.
• 51:46 Mod parts do change your style, it really is personal preference.
• 53:37 What’s your preference on steering? She prefers a slower turn to combat over-adjusting. Steering takes priority over the engine when upgrading.
• 56:32 Tell us about your 750 pump, what difference could you feel compared to a 550?
• 59:20 What is your recommendation on impeller pitch? We bend them ourselves and test.
• 01:00:20 Tell us about your intake, they are very aggressive.
• 01:01:14 Tell us about your ride plate, what adjustments have you made? Cut holes into it.
• 01:02:42 We are all here to help each other, Andrew is very open with what he does.
• 01:03:41 Engine bay: 550 Reed engine, RC520 Cylinders, custom porting.
• 01:04:14 Compression: Over 200 psi.
• 01:06:37 Intake: Dual carburettor setup, the rest is custom and secret, but it is tuned well.
• 01:07:17 Ignition: Lightened flywheel with MSD Ignition using the older analog chips, The downsides of Total Loss Ignition.
• 01:10:14 Batteries: We always buy good batteries, I get a whole day out of a charge, you can use a lightened charging flywheel for a compromise between stock and full mod.
• 01:11:57 What are your best memories of that build?
• 01:13:49 Why do you use a halfpipe in your engine? We just tried it and liked it.
• 01:14:30 What about the waterbox? It is custom made as well.
• 01:14:52 What are your goals for 2021 and the World Finals?
• 01:15:42 2020 World Finals goal was to finish in the top 10
• 01:18:04 How are you preparing differently this year vs last year? Skills vs fitness? Signing up for more races.
• 01:24:01 Tell us about women's racing and your experience of it.
• 01:27:17 What is your favourite part about the Vintage Jetski community? Why would someone want to join?
• Final Questions
• • 01:30:10 Handling setup: Sand the grooves in your hull to make them even and a bit deeper, use bed liner to keep it safe and strong.
  • 01:32:24 Engine tips: Put duel carburettors in it, high compression head, make it tunable.
  • 1:34:01 Favourite races: Mark Gomez GoPro footage of Rachel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MhSzTk0DxE) 
  • 01:42:37 Hardest fought race was at the ISJBA World Finals Qualifier, ending 5th out of 9.
• 01:45:56 Thank you Rachel!

Today’s episode is with Neil Bollmann, Jet Ski painter of the stars! Neil was around for the glory years of Jet Ski racing and has made a big name for himself as a legendary painter, people thought his paint jobs were stickers, they were so good! Have a listen as we go back through the golden years and hear what it was like from his perspective and get many valuable tips for doing your own paint jobs. We hope you enjoy this episode and we can’t wait to see your own paint jobs after hearing these tips!

00:17 Welcome!

01:29 When did you first see a Jet Ski?

02:08 How much did your first ski cost?

02:53 How did you start painting? Was this your trade?

03:27 First job painting

04:29 “If your Jet Ski runs shitty, bring it to Jet Ski City”

05:04 Jet Ski City’s ski was the only one that was painted

06:03 Right time, right place

06:59 89/90 was when my painting really developed with the Candy Apple colors

07:47 How he used to do a paint job

08:07 Candy Apple colors

08:32 House Of Kolor

09:33 How did you meet some of the big names in Jet Ski racing like Scott Watkins?

10:55 The first real taste of fame and Splash Magazine

12:16 Selling good numbers in England and the Hot Water Series

12:56 Live Jet Ski racing on TV

14:49 Heading to the world finals in Havasu

15:20 Driving the van and getting pulled over

17:25 What’s the atmosphere like in the glory years?

18:50 New idea for painting Harry’s ski

21:17 What’s your favorite ski that you’ve painted?

22:01 What did a paint job cost?

23:26 People were spending a ton of money

23:55 Using lacquer primer, Imron paint, urethane, clear coat and epoxy primer

25:51 You were becoming world renowned at this point

27:07 What about race helmets?

28:12 Troy Lee (Troy Lee Designs) sees Harry’s helmet

30:20 People thought his paint jobs were stickers

31:27 Paint jobs started losing their impact in the mid 90’s

32:47 Meeting Vanilla Ice

34:53 Vanilla Ice: The Jet Ski Racer

37:59 Pulling up to my house in a white Porsche

38:46 I want to get into painting my own jet ski, what are the stages of painting a ski?

39:49 Take the stickers off (Xylene to remove glue)

41:21 Take the handle pole, pad, exhaust and pole bracket off

41:42 Reinforce with resin and fiberglass

42:16 Tell us about the resin

42:57 Painting is 90% prep

43:58 How much fiberglass do you need? 2 layers on the inside and 2 on the outside - paint inside with Imron-type paint

45:17 Electrical box needs reinforcement too

46:41 Sand it with 80 grit and put epoxy primer on

46:50 You must paint within 72 hours - the paint etches into the epoxy

47:33 Tell us about epoxy

48:40 I was basically a chemist, once the base coat is down and protected, you’re good to go

49:21 BEST ADVICE: Read the can!

49:57 What do I need to do this myself? Paint guns

51:22 Urethane primers 

51:42 A guide coat is a handy trick

52:07 Sand down with 80 grit, epoxy primer on, choose color, apply base coat - what’s next?

52:25 Use Intercoat Clear when you have a lot of white in your design

52:56 Stripe work: Tape is important

53:46 The clear coat allows you to fix mistakes 

54:31 Can I do this in my backyard?

55:39 You want to do this over a few days

56:21 Get a Porta-shade and a 20 gallon air compressor with a 25 or 50 foot hose

57:08 Adding your own stickers - clear coat is the last stage

58:14 Taking your paint to the next level

59:51 Things to save time and fix mistakes - 400 grit wet sand paper

01:00:36 Using Pre-Kleano to clean the surfaces BEFORE painting

01:02:36 Tell us about the sandpaper

01:03:24 When do you use 2000 grit sand paper? At the end to make it shine

01:03:52 What is your best memory from back in the day?

01:07:01 Your son’s Youtube channel RC Supremacy

01:08:11 How can people contact you? Instagram @neilskicustom

01:08:39 Where did your nickname Neilski come from?

01:09:29 Where to see some of your designs

01:10:03 Thank you for joining us Neil Bollmann!

Hailing from Alaska didn’t stop this legend from becoming an incredible 8 time world champion, with a unique racing style using his famous leg drag turns, Victor “The Slasher Sheldon needs no introduction! We cover his career from his first experiences in the water, racing for Butch’s Jet Ski Shop to being on the big factory teams like Kawasaki, Pro Tec Yamaha and Polaris. We go through how he got his name “The Slasher”, the cutting edge innovations he used to get ahead of the competition and stories of his time racing at the very top of the sport. We hope you enjoy this episode from a true legend from the world of Jet Ski racing!

• 00:13 Intro and welcome
• 01:22 How did someone who grew up in Alaska turn into Victor “The Slasher” Sheldon?
• 02:27 Spending your last $1500
• 03:00 1986 World Jet Ski Finals
• 05:25 MotoX and snowmobile skills carried over
• 06:24 How much wrenching did you do?
• 07:02 Travelling with David “The Flash” Gordon
• 08:12 Bill Chapin
• 09:03 Your first years in racing, from Arizona Jet Ski to Butch’s
• 11:00 How he became “The Slasher”
• 12:45 How did you start with Butch’s?
• 14:20 “We kept it fun”
• 16:38 Travelling with The Fish
• 21:34 Disqualified from slalom
• 24:05 Jet Ski innovation really got going in the late 80’s and early 90’s
• 27:48 Jet Ski spec’d to the max
• 28:19 What were you doing to the pumps?
• 30:10 Testing days
• 31:13 91’ and the new fuel injection systems
• 36:35 History of the Jet Ski
• 39:00 92’ and the 750
• 42:09 You finally become “The Man” and win the national championship
• 43:11 World Finals race in 92’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-iIi5bTv2I)
• 48:44 The leg drag turns
• 50:43 94’ Season and Kawasaki started supporting riders
• 53:20 Great stories about Bill Chapin and training with Christy Carlson
• 54:43 How Kawasaki helped the individual riders
• 55:43 The downfall of innovation
• 57:41 95’ Season and the sit down’s
• 59:15 Bonus money became big money
• 61:06 Kawasaki gave you an ultimatum, take it or leave it
• 62:23 The reality of being on the biggest team
• 63:54 What do you ride now and the test ski
• 66:00 Mechanical issues in the lead
• 67:53 “We have a deal for you”
• 69:30 Going over to Yamaha and Pro Tec
• 70:59 How did you get onto the Polaris Octane?
• 74:14 Yamaha SuperJet painted like a Polaris
• 75:32 Building a nice little team of your own
• 77:38 Where did Jet Skiing go wrong and how can we make it big again?
• 81:26 What is your setup?
• 83:50 Secret tech tips from back in the day
• 84:49 Ignition
• 85:43 Compression
• 86:40 Carburetors
• 87:11 Best racing memory
• 90:27 Thank you Victor and final thoughts
• 93:42 Outro and Cam’s final thoughts